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Exercise deviceRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Involving User Translation Or Physical Simulation Thereof, Alpine Or Towed SkiingExercise device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060189454, Exercise device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/649,276, filed Feb. 1, 2005, the entirety of which applicant incorporates herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to exercise equipment, and more specifically, to a stationary exercise device for simulating a range of lateral motions, including skiing and skating. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Stationary machines designed for exercising allow users to exercise indoors, alleviating obstacles associated with outdoors, such as adverse weather. Additionally, these apparatus allow the user to interact with entertainment media such as a television. However, existing machines have a limited range of motion. Many tend to emulate activities related to walking, climbing and running. Those that do tend to emulate more sophisticated motions suffer from designs that conform the user to a strict posture, precluding the user from experiencing a natural feeling associated with actual sports. [0006] One example is an elliptical motion machine on which the user uses his or her feet, driven by some leg muscles, to pedal in an elliptical range of motion. The position of the user on an elliptical machine generally discourages movement of the upper body. Other machines emulating walking motions typically restrain the user to a specific range of motion that can become monotonous and feel artificial. Factors contributing to the artificial feel of such machines include ranges of motion that generally travel vertically and/or in the fore and aft directions. [0007] Accordingly vast ranges of motion associated with many sports are typically not accommodated indoors. Many such sports require special gear, climate and conditions, such as skiing, which requires snow, mountains and expensive gear, and/or ice-skating, which requires a large area of thickly formed ice. Furthermore, due to the limited range of indoor exercise machines, muscles such as outer thigh muscles, upper body muscles and/or inner thigh muscles are generally not sufficiently worked to gain benefits similar to those gained from performing actual sports such as skiing. Additionally, existing equipment generally is not capable of selectively aiding a portion of the motion to suit the skill or strength level of the user. [0008] There is a need for an indoor exercise device that simulates a range of lateral motions, provides a natural experience associated with outdoor sports, and can selectively aid in portions of the motions to suit varying skills and/or strength levels. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an exercise device comprises a frame oriented along a longitudinal axis and configured to be supported on a surface, a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the frame along the longitudinal axis, first and second torque tubes, each torque tube mounted on the drive shaft and configured to transfer torque to the drive shaft in at least one direction of rotation, and first and second foot carriage assemblies operable to reciprocate along the frame in the longitudinal direction, the first and second foot carriage assemblies operable to rotate the respective torque tubes upon laterally traveling toward a lateral-most position along the frame. [0010] According to another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, the exercise device may include resistance means for selectively resisting the rotation of the drive shaft. [0011] According to yet another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, the exercise device may include first and second carriage return assemblies associated with the first and second torque tubes, respectively, the first and second carriage return assemblies being operable to promote a return of the first and second foot carriage assemblies, respectively, from the lateral-most position. [0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an exercise device comprises a frame defining a longitudinal axis, the frame configured to be supported on a surface, first and second torque tubes, each torque tube rotatably mounted along the longitudinal axis of the frame, first and second foot carriage assemblies operable to move in the longitudinal direction on the frame, at least one of the foot carriage assemblies operable to engage the torque tubes and cause rotation therein upon laterally traveling toward a lateral-most position along the frame, promoting a rotation of the torque tubes, and first and second biasing systems associated with the first and second torque tubes, respectively, and operable to resist the rotation of the torque tubes and the lateral movement of the foot carriage assemblies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) [0013] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an exercise device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 2 is a side isometric view of the exercise device of FIG. 1. [0015] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the exercise device of FIG. 1 with its housing removed to allow for internal viewing. [0016] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a carriage frame assembly from the exercise device of FIG. 1. [0017] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a sub-assembly from the exercise device of FIG. 1. [0018] FIG. 6 is a front view of a drive assembly of the exercise device of FIG. 1. [0019] FIG. 7 is a diametric cross-sectional view of a portion of the drive assembly of FIG. 6. [0020] FIG. 8 is a diametric cross-sectional view of another portion of the drive assembly of FIG. 6. Continue reading about Exercise device... Full patent description for Exercise device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Exercise device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Exercise device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Device enabling persons, including handicapped persons to practise roller skating, skateboarding, ice skating, skiing, horse-riding and swimming, without falling or sinking Next Patent Application: Exercise rowing machine Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Exercise device patent info. 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